The orthodox churches used every means to prevent the belief in Christ’s soon coming from spreading. No liberty was granted in their meetings to those who dared mention a hope of the soon coming of Christ. Professed lovers of Jesus scornfully rejected the tidings that He whom they claimed as their best friend was soon to visit them. They were excited and angered against those who proclaimed the news of His coming, and who rejoiced that they should speedily behold Him in His glory. {1T 54.3}

De ortodokse menigheder brugte ethvert middel for at forhindre troen på Kristi, snare komme I at brede sig. Ved deres møder fik de, som vovede at nævne et håb om Kristi snare komme ingen frihed. Mennesker, der bekendte sig til at elske Jesus, forkastede hånligt efterretningerne om, at han, som de hævdede var deres bedste ven, snart ville besøge dem. De var ophidsede og vrede på dem, som forkyndte nyhederne om hans komme, og som glædede sig til, at de snart skulle se ham i hans herlighed.